|
Get
email updates from IFCAR.
Reviews of
Entry-Luxury Cars
Impressions and critiques of
entry-luxury cars. Recommended vehicles are printed in
blue in the list of models, any
model shown in bold blue
was judged to be the best vehicle in this class.
(Model names printed with the reviews will not be colored
whether a vehicle is recommended or not.)
See all Top Picks and Recommended
models by class.
|
Acura TL
Available As: Midsize entry-Lux Sedan
Base
Price Range (MSRP): $33,725-$38,425
Pros:
Acceleration, ride, handling, refinement,
interior quality, fuel economy.
Cons:
Interior and trunk space, torque steer
(manual transmission).
Overall: A well-rounded premium sedan.
Rating:
8/10
Recommended: YES
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Cars |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Luxury |
7/10 |
9/10 |
|
Practicality |
7/10 |
6/10 |
|
Performance |
8/10 |
8/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
6/10 |
6/10 |
|
Safety |
8/10 |
8/10 |
|
Price |
7/10 |
4/10 |
|
Most
consumers shopping for an entry-lux sedan would
be satisfied with the TL. It's comfortable, it's
powerful, it's loaded with features, it's
reasonably-priced, it gets good gas mileage for
its class, and it rides and handles well. A
Type-S version offers additional power and
better handling, but still does not make it a
credible sports sedan, and it adds to the price
and hurts the ride; the base version is
recommended over it. But there are numerous
competitors in their own more specific niches
that may be better for different people than the
jack-of-all-trades TL.
If
you're looking for a sport sedan, look at the BMW 3-Series
line. The 3-Series is pricier than the TL and
not as roomy, but has much sharper handling and
a superior manual transmission. The Infiniti G35
Sport offers a lot of power at a lower price
than the BMW, but its handling precision and
manual transmission aren't quite at the same
level. If you want a fun to drive car but aren't
as concerned with power as much as handling,
consider Acura's own value-priced TSX (below).
If you have no interest in owning a sports
sedan, consider the
Lexus ES350 and the related Toyota Avalon,
which are luxurious, comfortable, and quiet, but
not designed for taking fast curves. The Avalon
is the roomier and the less expensive of the
two, but the Lexus has a nicer interior and the
all-important premium badge. And non-Sport
versions of the
Infiniti G35 offer similar all-around
excellence to the TL.
|
|
|
|
Acura TSX
 Available As:
Midsize entry-Lux Sedan
Base Price Range (MSRP):
$28,090-$30,090
Pros: Price,
agility, interior comfort and quality, fuel economy, manual
transmission.
Cons: Interior
and trunk space, acceleration.
Overall:
Nimble, roomy, and economical, the TSX is a good entry-lux
buy if you don't mind a relative lack of power.
Rating: 8/10
Recommended: YES
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Cars |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Luxury |
6/10 |
7/10 |
|
Practicality |
8/10 |
6/10 |
|
Performance |
5/10 |
7/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
8/10 |
7/10 |
|
Safety |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Price |
9/10 |
5/10 |
|
The TSX is sold in
other parts of the world as the Honda Accord, as the North
American market demands a larger family sedan than Europe
and Asia want. As such, the TSX includes the pleasant
character expected in a good family sedan, with comfortable
seating and good gas mileage, along with the sporty feel
expected in cars sold in most of the rest of the world, and
a lot of features included for a low price. And though it is
significantly down on horsepower from Acura's larger and
pricier TL (above), it is more fun to drive in routine
conditions, particularly with the excellent manual
transmission. (The lack of power is much more apparent with
the automatic.) It is light and nimble, and still rides
comfortably. It isn't as opulent as the TL, but still very
good for the price. In short, for some it is a better car
than the TL, and for all it's much less expensive. A
redesigned 2009 TSX is now on sale.
For the best sports
sedan experience under $40,000, look at the BMW 3-Series, which isn't
as roomy and costs quite a bit more but will be worth it for
some. The Infiniti G35
and Acura TL (above) are well-rounded entry-lux sedans with
significantly more power than the TSX, and they aren't as
expensive as the BMW. Also consider the North American
Honda Accord, which is
available with a V6 for around the same price as the TSX,
has more interior space, and is also rather fun to drive.
|
|
|
Audi A3
Available As: Compact entry-Lux Hatchback
Base
Price Range (MSRP): $25,930-$34,915
Pros:
Interior quality, handling, acceleration,
versatility, fuel economy, safety ratings.
Cons:
Turbo lage (4-cylinder), mainstream feel.
Overall: The A3 may seem like a steal, but
it only is if you refuse to consider anything
without a premium badge.
Rating:
6/10
Recommended: YES
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Cars |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
6/10 |
6/10 |
|
Luxury |
6/10 |
7/10 |
|
Practicality |
7/10 |
5/10 |
|
Performance |
7/10 |
8/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Safety |
10/10 |
10/10 |
|
Price |
10/10 |
5/10 |
|
The A3
is a premium compact hatchback, a type of car
rare in North America but rather common in
Europe. The practicality of a hatchback is
generally accepted only in economy
cars here (and even then only grudgingly), and
is unwelcome in anything else. But
even entry-lux shoppers should be able to
appreciate the versatility offered by a
hatchback configuration, and further be able to
enjoy the A3's interior quality, its comfortable
front seats, and its good ride/handling
compromise. But the A3 is not so alone in
blending premium qualities with a hatchback's
practicality that consumers seeking such a
configuration should limit themselves to it. Its
price seems low, and it is for a car from a
premium brand. But similar qualities can be had
for less.
First of
all, the A3 is mechanically identical to the
Volkswagen Rabbit
and GTI,
which cost thousands less. (The Rabbit has a
different engine, and the GTI shares the A3's
4-cylinder but has firmer suspension tuning.)
And the Mazda3
hatchback also offers driving enjoyment, a
high-quality interior, has more cargo space, and
costs even less. The A3 has a particularly
high-quality interior, the Audi badge, an
available V6 (not recommended because of its
exorbitant cost), and a few more luxury features
than the others mentioned, but for the most part
they share the A3's benefits for less money.
|
|
|
|
Audi A4
Available As: Compact entry-lux sedan, wagon
Base
Price Range (MSRP): $28,900-$39,400
Pros:
Handling, interior quality, safety ratings,
wide range of models.
Cons:
Interior space.
Overall: A fun-to-drive, high-quality car
for those who don't need a roomy rear seat.
Rating:
7/10
Recommended: YES
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Cars |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
7/10 |
6/10 |
|
Luxury |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Practicality |
5/10 |
4/10 |
|
Performance |
7/10 |
8/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
6/10 |
7/10 |
|
Safety |
10/10 |
10/10 |
|
Price |
7/10 |
4/10 |
|
The A4
is a rather small but competent car in all its
forms. With excellent interior quality and a
well-sorted suspension, it provides an
unflappable feeling of competence, making it
easy to overlook its flaws, such as the tiny
rear seat on the convertible that doesn't get
much bigger in the sedan and wagon versions. The
S4 and RS4 versions offer practical alternatives
to sporty coupes and convertibles (though the S4
is also available as a convertible),
particularly the S4 wagon, without sacrificing
their excellent driving dynamics.
All
versions of the A4 are enjoyable to drive, but
the BMW 3-Series
offers even sharper handling and more power, and
the Infiniti G35
costs less, is also fun to drive, and has a
usable rear seat. Neither, however, have the
A4's interior quality. If you have no interest
in owning a sports sedan, consider the Lexus ES350 and
the related Toyota
Avalon, which are luxurious,
comfortable, and quiet, but not designed for
taking fast curves. The Avalon is the roomier
and the less expensive of the two, but the Lexus
has a nicer interior and the all-important
premium badge. Consumers focusing on the S4 and
RS4 should also consider the BMW 335i (a member
of the 3-Series
lineup).
|
|
|
Chrysler 300C
Available As: Large entry-lux sedan
Base
Price Range (MSRP): $34,975-$40,420
Pros:
Acceleration, interior space.
Cons:
Agility, fuel economy, visibility,
refinement, interior quality.
Overall: The 300C's excellent straight-line
performance is offset by the car's otherwise
mainstream character.
Rating:
6/10
Recommended: YES
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Sedans |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Luxury |
4/10 |
7/10 |
|
Practicality |
8/10 |
6/10 |
|
Performance |
7/10 |
7/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
3/10 |
4/10 |
|
Safety |
5/10 |
6/10 |
|
Price |
6/10 |
4/10 |
|
The
300C is a version of Chrysler's 300 line
equipped with one of two Hemi V8s that offer
excellent straight-line bang for the buck, a
mighty step up from the acceleration offered by
the mainstream V6 versions. But aside from the
engine and the price tag, the 300C does not come
off as a premium car. Ride and handling are
family-sedan ordinary, as is the spacious but
largely unluxurious interior. And the
distinctive styling hurts visibility. The 300C
may be just right for some entry-lux consumers,
but more comfort, luxury, and agility can be
found elsewhere.
Consumers
See the 2006 300C in the IFCAR
Large Sedan Comparison Test
|
|
|
|
Infiniti G
Available As: Midsize entry-lux coupe and sedan
Base
Price Range (MSRP): $31,450-$34,250
Pros:
Handling, acceleration, price, available AWD.
Cons:
Interior space (coupe), ride (coupe), clutch
feel.
Overall: A capable blend of comfort, luxury,
and sport, at least as a sedan.
Rating:
9/10
Recommended: YES (IFCAR Top Pick)
|
Characteristic: |
Compared to Entry-Lux Cars |
Compared to All Vehicles |
|
Seat
Comfort |
8/10 |
7/10 |
|
Luxury |
6/10 |
8/10 |
|
Practicality |
6/10 |
5/10 |
|
Performance |
8/10 |
9/10 |
|
Fuel
Economy |
4/10 |
5/10 |
|
Safety |
8/10 |
7/10 |
|
Price |
7/10 |
4/10 |
|
The G35 sedan and
G37 coupe are billed as primarily sporty cars,
aimed directly at the BMW 3-Series. But by the
virtue of its roomier interior, the G35 is able
to beat the 3-Series sedan as an all-around car;
it's a better blend of luxury and sport. Factor
in the G35's much lower price and much more
potent engine (than the most comparably-priced
3-Series), and it's an excellent bargain. Unlike
many competitors, it is usable both as
value-priced luxury transportation (epitomized
by the Lexus ES350) or as a fun-to-drive sporty
car (the direction favored by most competitors),
making it an excellent all-around entry-lux
choice. The coupe has a more powerful engine and
a stiffer ride without obvious benefit, poorer
visibility, and less interior space, and should
be left to those who refuse to have anything to
do with a car with two extra doors.
Another
overall-competitive entry-lux sedan is the
Acura
TL, which is roomier than the G35 and has a
nicer interior but is not as sporty. The BMW
3-Series is very agile and fun to drive, rides
well, and has comfortable seating for two, but
has limited rear seat space and is very
expensive. And if you have no interest in owning
a sports sedan, consider the Lexus ES350 and
the related Toyota
Avalon, which are luxurious,
comfortable, and quiet, but not designed for
taking fast curves. The Avalon is the roomier
and the less expensive of the two, but the Lexus
has a nicer interior and the all-important
premium badge.
|
|
|
|
Last Update: 5/20/08 |
|
|
|
